Here's The Heartbreaking Letter A Portland Victim's Mom Wrote To Trump

President Trump's belated message of condolence to the victims of the Portland hate crime came two full days after the attack. But for the mother of Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche — who tried to intervene as a man verbally attacked two young women with anti-Muslim comments and was fatally stabbed — that was not enough. The Portland hero's mom wrote an open letter to Trump urging him to do more to condemn hate speech and violence against minorities.

"You have said that you will be President for all Americans," wrote Asha Deliverance, Namkai-Meche's mother. "So, I ask you Mr. President to take action at this time. ... Please condemn any acts of violence, which result directly from hate speech and hate groups."

Namkai-Meche was one of three men stabbed in the neck by an alleged white supremacist while condemning his verbal abuse of two teenagers on the train, one of whom was wearing a hijab. Namkai-Meche and Army veteran Ricky John Best both died of their injuries, while Micah David-Cole Fletcher remains hospitalized for his wounds.

The Portland stabbing continues an alarming trend of violence against minorities that has increased since Trump was elected in November. In the past, Trump has failed to condemn white supremacist groups, and many had hoped that the president would finally do so, following the Portland incident.

Taliesin died a hero, like many other Americans who have died defending freedom. He was just 23, a year out of college with a degree in economics, working, had just bought his first home and was thinking about starting a family. Our family grieves, but we are proud that through his selfless action he, along with the other two men, has changed the world, when in the face of hate he did not hesitate to act with love.

Two precious lives were lost this Memorial Day weekend in Portland and one more, nearly so. All three were strangers to each other, and to those they were defending. They fearlessly risked their lives for two young women who were threatened by an act of bigotry & terror. These brave men saw the immediate injustice and didn’t hesitate to act. They recognized the truth: we are more alike than we are different. To ride the train home without being assaulted because of the color of your skin or your religious beliefs, is an inalienable right.

You have said that you will be President for all Americans. So, I ask you Mr. President to take action at this time. Your words and actions are meaningful, here in America and throughout the world.

Please encourage all Americans to protect and watch out for one another. Please condemn any acts of violence, which result directly from hate speech & hate groups. I am praying you will use your leadership to do so.

It would deeply honor Taliesin’s sacrifice, which has been amplified by the millions of voices who have supported our family in response to this tragedy.